Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe
This creamy tuna pasta salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish perfect for quick lunches or picnics. Featuring tender macaroni, savory tuna, crisp vegetables, and a tangy homemade dressing with mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, and fresh herbs, it combines vibrant flavors and textures for a deliciously easy meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2.5 cups uncooked macaroni
Protein & Vegetables
- 1 (6 ounce) can tuna, drained
- 2 tablespoons red onion, chopped
- 1 cup little tomatoes, halved
- 2 sticks celery, chopped small
- 1 mini cucumber (or 1/4 English cucumber), chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente according to the package directions, usually about 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it.
- Prepare the Dressing and Ingredients: While the pasta cooks, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic powder, fresh dill, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth. Chop the red onion, little tomatoes, celery, cucumber, red bell pepper, and parsley, and place them in a large mixing bowl along with the drained tuna.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the vegetables and tuna. Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and toss everything together thoroughly to coat all the ingredients evenly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed — this salad typically benefits from a generous amount of seasoning.
- Chill or Serve: The pasta salad can be served immediately as a fresh and creamy meal or chilled in the refrigerator, covered, for 30 minutes to an hour to allow the flavors to meld and enrich.
Notes
- Use fresh dill for the best flavor; dried dill can be substituted but use less as it’s more concentrated.
- Rinsing the pasta after cooking stops it from overcooking and helps the salad stay cool and refreshing.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like peas or shredded carrots for added texture and nutrition.
- This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days, making it ideal for meal prep or leftovers.
Keywords: tuna pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, macaroni salad, easy lunch, picnic recipe, tuna salad
Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/creamy-tuna-pasta-salad-recipe/
